Biography of Calvin Jones As with many artists, Calvin's first exposure to music was in the church. The son of a minister, Calvin had many opportunities to use his talents and found early on that piano was his instrument. The predictability of traditional hymnology was a challenge for Calvin as he realized his aptitude for improvisation. In retrospect, one of his main inspirations turned out to be what many may consider humorous. On his twelfth birthday, his sister brought home that musical classic, "The Fifth of Beethoven." There was one hitch however. It was a disco version by the 5th Dimension. It took only a week for Calvin to master but it was the beginning of a new perspective for Calvin regarding classical music. The rhythms and syncopations especially attracted Calvin. His classical training was a great foundation but he approached the pieces with energy and emotion uniquely his own. Throughout his high school and college experience, Calvin was involved in the typical opportunities such as swing choir, stage band and musicals. Yet it was the lyrical quality of his interpretations that drew many of his friends to his playing often asking where he got his arrangements only to find they were self composed. Attending college on a musical scholarship, Calvin continued to study composition. Oddly enough he ended his college classes with a major in economics which has proved invaluable in the development of his musical career. Calvin has started his own record company called Personal Records and managed to sign with City of Peace Records for distribution worldwide. The college atmosphere proved to be just what Calvin needed in the creative area. His compositional sense matured as well as the picturesque melodies that have now become his trademark. At the age of twenty-one his first project "Through High Places" was released and his musical career immediately took off. Much of the success of this project is due to the thematic direction of the release. Calvin has traveled extensively throughout the West and enjoys the outdoors. This album reflects that love with musical themes written around nature’s bounty focusing primarily on the mountains. The wonders of God's creation inspired all of the works on this release and it the hope that the beauty in God's creation is evident in the pieces. On the heels of his first release, Calvin finished his second album "Coming Home" which features some traditional Christmas classics as well as newly penned compositions that are destined to be long remembered. Much of the album draws its musical inspiration from the music of Handel, Vivaldi, Albinoni, Bach and other Baroque composers. One could hear these composers played regularly in Calvin's childhood home but at Christmas time they could be heard from morning till night. It is out of this experience that "Coming Home" draws its special warmth and melodic expression. His third release "Uncharted Waters" represents an adventure into the unknown, a step of faith into a place where we are not in control. "Uncharted Waters" spans the entire dynamic range and limitations of the piano, an acoustic tour de force picturing the great forces at work on the ocean. Calvin's multi-instrumental release "Acoustic Passion" is truly a paradigm shift in Calvin's music. Producer Jerry Marcellino (Michael Jackson, Diana Ross) and Kerry Livgren of Kansas fame (“Dust in the Wind”) take Calvin's piano melodies to new heights. As the composer of “Whitewater Chopped Sticks”, Calvin’s career has taken a huge leap forward as , then Miss performed his song on ABC TV in front of some 14 million viewers winning the 2011 Pageant. Calvin has been inundated with TV appearances, radio interviews as well as touring and teaching opportunities. Calvin and Teresa released “Whitewater Chopped Sticks: Dueling Piano” on Sony/Provident Music in 2012. “Dueling Pianos” is a sonic treat encompassing Calvin’s best work as well as highlighting Miss America’s vocal and piano talent. From the beginning of his career Calvin has been doing music for TV and film including work for Hallmark, McDonald’s, Promise Keepers and Life Athletes to name a few. Calvin contributed tracks and additional production on the film score for documentary “Little Town of Bethlehem” directed and produced by Jim Hanon who also directed “End of the Speer” and “Beyond the Gates of Splendor”. Calvin’s latest movie soundtrack work was the musical score for Dinesh D’Souza’s “2016: Obama’s America”. The documentary set new records in per capita/per screen with packed theatres everywhere. Upon it’s release in 2012, “2016: Obama’s America” did $36 million at the box office making it the second highest grossing documentary in history. Throughout his career, Calvin has kept a focused devotion to his music and the Creator that he believes gave him his talents in the first place. Miss America, Teresa Scanlan, Wins Title Performing Calvin Jones' 'Whitewater Chopped Sticks'

Christian teen, composer team up for national hit

Contact: Don Otis , Veritas Communications , 719-275-7775

FT. COLLINS, Colo., Jan. 27, 2011 / Christian Newswire / -- Teresa Scanlan () became the youngest to win the Miss America Pageant since 1937. She won the talent category on the third night of preliminary competition giving indication that she might be one of fifteen contestants competing for the final.

Scanlan is a mature, 17-year-old homeschooled teen whose faith in Christ enabled her rise above the competition. To win the talent portion, she turned to the talented musician and arranger, Calvin Jones for help.

BMI writer Jones (see www.calvinjones.com ) mentored Scanlan in performing his composition Whitewater Chopped Sticks, a fast- paced arrangement she's been doing in local and statewide pageants since she was thirteen.

At the Miss America Pageant, Jones says, "She nailed the song with incredible speed and finesse. Teresa is a very accomplished and talented pianist. She is a quick study." Jones was notified by the firm clearing music for the televised Miss America Pageant that his arrangement of "Chopsticks" was scheduled to be performed.

Jones and Scanlan met in Fort Collins in November where he consulted with Teresa on how it should be played. He edited the full version of "Whitewater Chopped Sticks" down to 90 seconds for the talent competition.

Scanlan says, "It was so incredible to meet someone who has been an idol of mine for years! Calvin is a phenomenal musician and I was so inspired by the things he showed me. We revised the edits... and added some fantastic flourishes and fancy details."

For Jones, also a Christian, his journey as a composer watching his rendition win the Miss America Pageant, is a dream come true. "I was in total disbelief when they announced she had won. This is one of those things you never expect to happen, but God brings about these surprises when you least expect them."

In the words of one critic, "If brilliant piano performance could be likened to a painting, Calvin Jones routinely executes a 'musical Mona Lisa.'" His four international releases "Through High Places", "Coming Home" and "Uncharted Waters" are solo piano. In his fourth release "Acoustic Passion", Jones teams up with producer Jerry Marcellino (Michael Jackson, Diana Ross) and Kerry Livgren of "Kansas" fame ("Dust in the Wind," "Carry On") who performed all the guitars on the album.

For more information about Calvin Jones and his music see: www.calvinjones.com

To schedule an interview with Jones, call Don Otis @ Veritas Communications 719.275.7775 or email: [email protected]

In working with creative people, you occasionally run into those who shine brighter than others. If you're Overview of the working with Calvin I recommend a number 30 Calvin Jones Concert Productions sunscreen. Jim Hanon, Art Director · Leo Burnett Advertising · Chicago, IL Solo Piano Performance - Calvin performs solo with full lighting Calvin Jones natural talent, sensitivity to sound and and sound production. Approximately 115 minutes with an intermission, Calvin "attacks the piano" with his unique use of pedal musical enthusiasm are pervasive throughout his and "two fisted contrapuntal" melody lines, making his solo album "Through High Places." instrument sound like an orchestra. Elizabeth Reed, President · Newport, RI Music Festival Solo Piano Performance with Video - This level of concert Listening to Calvin Jones, one is immediately production unites Calvin's breathtaking piano compositions with the reminded of the fabulous Ariel: the expression, the extraordinary footage of videographer Dennis Zwoentizer, (Producer technique, that certain flair that springs from an of Calvin's new DVD, "The Journey"). In addition, a multi-camera "original script." live video shoot of Calvin brings the details of Calvin's piano Judy Vidal · KOTA-TV · Duhamel Broadcasting Enterprise performance to the Big Screen (7.5' by 10' or larger depending on the Calvin's the first two fisted contrapuntal pianist to auditorium size). The stunning scenic video of nature's bounty combined with the live shoot and mood setting lighting results in a come down the pike in quite a while. ...It is nice to truly remarkable concert event. hear a piano player whose left hand is as strong as his right. Calvin plus Symphony with Video - Voyaging even further beyond Richard Morton · MAC Adult Music Review · Los Angeles, CA the typical piano concert, we've secured the services of one of the top orchestration and film scoring talents in the country, R.J. Miller. As Calvin performs, R.J. conducts local symphonies from 20 piece chamber string sections to full 80 piece orchestras. The beautiful sounds of R.J.'s scores accentuate Calvin's piano compositions, while the big screen reveals the detailed performance of Calvin and all the musicians, interspersed with stunning scenic video, in a perfectly choreographed symphony of sound and sight.

For Booking Contact: Dennis L. Zwoenitzer (509) 680-2374 [email protected], www.calvinjones.com Experience the Calvin Jones Journey! "Putting the Passion back into Piano"